Edward c



(No Model.)v

E. G. OHAPPATTE.

WATCH CASE.

. Patented June 12, 1888.

N. PETERS, Fhulv-L'nhoghphan wuhin wm 0. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE.

EDW'ARD O. GHAPPATTE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE KEYSTONE WATCH CASE COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

WATCH-GAS E.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 384,346, dated June 12, 1888.

Application filed November 9.6, 1886. Serial No. 219,898. (No model.)

To all 2071,0122, it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD O. CHAPPATTE, of the city and county of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented an Improvement in iVatch-Gases, of which the following is a specification.

Myinvention has reference to watch-cases; and it consists of certain improvements which are fully set forth in the following specification, and shown in the accompanying drawings,which form a part thereof.

The object of myinvention is to form the cap or inside back of a watch-case in such a manner as to provide convenient means for supporting a photograph or other picture or device; and it is accomplished by making a recessed portion in the cap of the watch-case, in which the photograph or picture is laid and then covered by a crystal or glass which is directly or indirectly held in place.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a watclrcase center and cap embodying myinvention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the cap of the watch, showing the picture in place; and Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of a watchcase embodying the same invention, but showing the preferred way of securing the glass in place.

-A is the watch case cap having the recessed portion E, preferably in the center thereof.

B is the picture or photograph. O is the crystal. This crystal may be snapped into place and held securely by the undercut side or edge D of the recessed part E, as shown in Fig. 1, or it may be held by a metallic ring, F, snapped into place, as shown in Fig. 3. A nail niche or groove, (Z, may housed in the construction, as shown in Fig. 1, to assist in removing the glass and changing the picture, when desired. The watch-case center is represented by G. In the preferred construction (shown in Fig. 3) the recess E is struck down, as in Fig. 1, (a small head, 6, being given, if desired, for finish.) The picture B is then placed in the recess and aloosely-fitting glass, 0, is placed upon it, and this glass is held in place by the ring F, which is snapped into place and held by the undercut edgeD of the depressed part E. This ring may be readily removed for changing the picture without danger of cracking the glass, which would exist in the construction shown in Fig. 1, hence making the construction shown in Fig. 3 the more desirable.

The glass 0 is not limited to any particular form or kind, but may be made of hardened gelatine, isinglass, mica, or other equivalent transparent substance, and varied to suit the object to be covered by it, or other requirements.

I am aware that prior to my invention pic tures have been secured by providing an extra bezel snapped on a shoulder on the cap, similar to the glass bezel on the face of the watch; but such a construction is expensive, heavy, and necessarily greatly thickens the watch-case. In my construction I dispense with the additional bezel, and by depressing the back in its center and formingasnapedge for the crystal or its retaining-ring I accomplish the desired result without thickening the case of the watch or resorting to an expensive construction. The appearance of my back is much improved, and this construction is particularly well adapted to small or ladies watches.

I am aware of the patents to Stiffany, No. 162,321, and Brunt, No. 342,677, and claim nothing shown or set out in said patents, they being very different from the specific construction forming subject-matter of my application.

Having described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Pateut- The combination of a watch-case cap having a depressed or recessed portion adapted to receive a picture, aglass or equivalent transparent plate loosely fitting into said re cessed portion to cover and protect the picture, and a retaining-ring independent of the glass and holding the glass in place by being snapped into the undercut edge of said re- I cessed portion of the cap.

In testimony of which invention I hereunto set my hand.

V EDWARD G. CHAPPATTE. \Vitnesses:

F. H. KAIN,

JOHN C. GALLEN. 

